Geothermal heating and cooling system

ABSTRACT

A geothermal heating and cooling system that uses a water source to provide a heat transfer medium is provided. Elements of the system may include a water source, one or more circulation loops coupled to the water source, a heat exchanger and/or heat pump, and/or a monitoring component configured to monitor for conditions within the system, including leak integrity and water quality.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.62/300,401, filed Feb. 26, 2016, and titled “Geothermal Heating andCooling System,” the entire contents of which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The field of the technology relates to geothermal heating and cooling.

BACKGROUND

Geothermal heating and cooling systems utilize the temperature of theearth to provide a constant temperature source for heat transfer.Traditional geothermal systems can be cumbersome, expensive, and limitedin their heating and cooling capacity. Accordingly, an improvedgeothermal heating and cooling system that addresses these issues, amongothers, is needed.

SUMMARY

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the detaileddescription section of this disclosure. This summary is not intended toidentify key or essential features of the technology, nor is it intendedto be used as an aid in determining the scope of the technology.

In brief, and at a high level, this disclosure describes, among otherthings, a geothermal heating and cooling system that uses a watersource, such as a municipal water source, to provide a medium for heattransfer. More specifically, elements of the system may include a watersource, one or more circulation loops coupled to the water source, aheat exchanger/heat pump, and a monitoring component configured tomonitor for conditions within the system, including leak integrity andwater quality.

In one embodiment, a system for geothermal heating and cooling isprovided, in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology.The system comprises a water source, a circulation loop coupled to thewater source and passing proximate a space to be heated or cooled, thecirculation loop configured to circulate water from the water source, aheat pump coupled to the circulation loop and configured to provide heattransfer between the water and the space to be heated or cooled, and amonitoring component configured to monitor for at least one of qualityof the water and leak integrity of the circulation loop.

In another embodiment, a system for geothermal heating and cooling isprovided, in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology.The system comprises a water source, a heat exchanger, a firstcirculation loop configured to circulate water from the water sourcethrough the heat exchanger and back to the water source, a secondcirculation loop configured to circulate a heat exchange fluid throughthe heat exchanger and proximate a space to be heated or cooled, and amonitoring component configured to monitor at least one of quality ofthe water and leak integrity of at least one of the first circulationloop and the second circulation loop.

In another embodiment, a heat exchanger for a geothermal heating andcooling system is provided, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent technology. The heat exchanger comprises a first circulationloop, a second circulation loop, at least one air chamber between thefirst circulation loop and the second circulation loop, and a monitoringcomponent positioned in the at least one air chamber, the monitoringcomponent configured to detect at least one of a presence of fluid inthe at least one air chamber and a change of pressure in the at leastone air chamber.

In another embodiment, a method of geothermal heating and cooling isprovided, in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology.The method comprises providing a water source, providing a heatexchanger, coupling a first circulation loop to the heat exchanger andto the water source, coupling a second circulation loop to the heatexchanger and extending the second circulation loop proximate a space tobe heated or cooled, coupling a heat pump to the second circulation loopfor exchanging heat between a heat exchange fluid in the secondcirculation loop and the space to be heated or cooled, and providing amonitoring component configured to monitor for at least one of qualityof the water and integrity of at least one of the first circulation loopand the second circulation loop.

As used in this disclosure, “monitoring component” may comprise a singleelement or a combination of elements, local or remote, automatically ormanually operated and/or configured, for monitoring water quality orleak integrity in a geothermal heating and cooling system.

Additionally, as used in this disclosure, a “water source” may be amunicipal water source, wastewater source, graywater source, reused orreclaimed water source, federal water source, private water source,in-ground or above-ground water source, or any other source of water.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is described in detail below with reference to theattached drawing figures, which are intended to be exemplary andnon-limiting, wherein:

FIG. 1A is an exemplary geothermal heating and cooling system utilizinga water source, in accordance with an embodiment of the presenttechnology;

FIG. 1B is another exemplary geothermal heating and cooling systemutilizing a water source, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent technology;

FIG. 1C is another exemplary geothermal heating and cooling systemutilizing a water source, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent technology;

FIG. 2A is an exemplary geothermal heating and cooling system utilizinga heat exchanger and a water source, in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present technology;

FIG. 2B is another exemplary geothermal heating and cooling systemutilizing a heat exchanger and a water source, in accordance with anembodiment of the present technology;

FIG. 2C is another exemplary geothermal heating and cooling systemutilizing a heat exchanger and a water source, in accordance with anembodiment of the present technology;

FIG. 3 is an exemplary heat exchanger setup for the geothermal heatingand cooling systems depicted in FIGS. 2A-2C, in accordance with anembodiment of the present technology;

FIG. 4A is an exemplary heat exchanger for a geothermal heating andcooling system, in accordance with an embodiment of the presenttechnology;

FIG. 4B is an exploded view of the heat exchanger depicted in FIG. 4A,in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology;

FIG. 4C is a partial cross-section view of the heat exchanger depictedin FIGS. 4A-4B, in accordance with an embodiment of the presenttechnology;

FIG. 5 is an exemplary valve and piping configuration for use with ageothermal heating and cooling system, in accordance with an embodimentof the present technology;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an exemplary method of geothermal heatingand cooling, in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology;

FIG. 7A is an exemplary table of measured influent and effluent watertemperature from a geothermal heating and cooling system, in accordancewith an embodiment of the present technology; and

FIG. 7B is an exemplary table of measured water quality indicators takenfrom water used in a geothermal heating and cooling system, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present technology.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The subject matter of the present technology is described withspecificity in this disclosure to meet statutory requirements. However,the description itself is not intended to limit the scope of thetechnology. Rather, the claimed subject matter may also be embodied inother ways, to include different features, components, steps, and/orcombinations of steps, similar to the ones described in this disclosure,in conjunction with other present and/or future technologies. Moreover,although the terms “step” and/or “block” may be used herein to connotedifferent elements of methods employed, the terms should not beinterpreted as implying any particular order among or between varioussteps disclosed herein unless and except the order of individual stepsis explicitly described and required.

At a high level, the present technology generally relates to geothermalheating and cooling utilizing a water source (e.g., a preinstalledpotable water line or reclaimed water line). A circulation loop may becoupled to the water source and used to circulate water through, around,and/or proximate a space to be heated or cooled, and/or through a heatexchanger coupled to a separate circulation loop that circulates aheating and cooling fluid through, around, and/or proximate to the spaceto be heated or cooled, to allow heat transfer to occur. Additionally, amonitoring component may be used to determine a quality of the water inthe system and re-entering the water source, and/or to determine if anyleaks are present within the system. Exemplary embodiments of thetechnology are described in greater detail below with respect to FIGS.1-6.

Referring now to FIG. 1A, an exemplary system 10 for geothermal heatingand cooling is provided, in accordance with an embodiment of the presenttechnology. In FIG. 1A, a water source 12 is shown, along with a space14 to be heated or cooled (e.g., a building with rooms). The watersource 12 may be above or below ground, and may be preinstalled, orinstalled with the system 10, or otherwise adapted from an existingwater source or system. The water source 12 may provide water 16, suchas potable water, waste water, gray water, or another type of water, foruse in the system 10. FIG. 1A also depicts a circulation loop 18 that isin fluid communication with the water source 12 at a first fluidcoupling 20 and a second fluid coupling 22. The circulation loop 18 isin fluid communication with the water source 12 and circulates the water16 through, around, and/or proximate the space 14 to be heated orcooled.

The system 10 in FIG. 1A further includes a plurality of heat pumps 24,which may be used to transfer heat between the water 16 in thecirculation loop 18 and the space 14 to be heated or cooled. In anexemplary operation of the system 10, the water 16 is drawn from thewater source 12 and sent through the circulation loop 18. The heat pumps24 transfer heat between the water 16 and air in the space 14 to beheated or cooled, adjusting the temperature in the space 14 using thewater. The heat pumps 24 may be coupled within, near, and/or proximatethe space 14 to be heated or cooled (e.g., wall mounted heating and airconditioning units), but may also be located remotely, such as at acentral location or on a roof of a building. It should be noted althougha plurality of heat pumps 24 are depicted in FIGS. 1-3, inimplementation, only one heat pump may be used, or multiple heat pumpsmay be used, as well. The circulation loop 18 may also travel tomultiple spaces or buildings.

The water may enter the circulation loop 18 from the water source 12 atthe first fluid coupling 20, proceed through the circulation loop 18through, around, and/or proximate the space 14 to be heated or cooled,and then exit the circulation loop 18 at the second fluid coupling 22,where it may re-enters the water source 12. Although not explicitlydepicted, one or more valves may be located at the first fluid coupling20, around the circulation loop 18, and/or at the second fluid coupling22 to direct, restrict, and/or activate the flow of the water 16 throughthe circulation loop 18. Additionally, one or more backflow preventers26 may be located in the circulation loop 18 to prevent the water fromreversing direction and re-entering the water source 12, as needed.

FIG. 1A further depicts a monitoring component 28. The monitoringcomponent 28, in a broad sense, may be one or multiple components,separate or interconnected, used to monitor various conditions of thesystem 10. The monitoring component 28 may thus indicate whenpreconfigured operating conditions are or are not satisfied by thesystem 10. For example, the monitoring component 28 may be used tomonitor quality of the water 16 in the system 10 by continuously orintermittently testing the water 16, and/or may be used to monitor theleak integrity of the system 10, or rather, detect when a leak in thesystem 10 has occurred. In FIG. 1A, the monitoring component 28 isdepicted as dual components at two locations proximate the first andsecond fluid couplings 20, 22 of the circulation loop 18, respectively,but may be located anywhere, and may comprise more or fewer components.

The monitoring component 28 may include one or more sensors 29 formonitoring operating conditions of the system 10. The sensors 29 maycomprise water quality testing sensors, such as temperature sensors,contaminant sensors, biologic or pathogen testing sensors, heavy metalsensors, and/or volatile organic compound sensors, for example, whichare configured to detect the presence of the same, either locally at thesystem 10, or remotely at a testing location using water extracted fromthe system 10. The sensors 29 may also comprise leak integrity sensors,such as pressure sensors, humidity/moisture sensors, and/or fluiddetection sensors used within or proximate the system 10, for example.The sensors 29 may be coupled to, within, or proximate to thecirculation loop 18, the space 14, and/or other parts of the system 10,including at a downstream location 30 relative to the circulation loop18. The monitoring component 28 may be configured to test the quality ofthe water 16 in the system 10 by extracting a portion of the water 16from the circulation loop 18 at one or multiple locations (e.g., at thedownstream location 30).

Referring now to FIG. 1B, another exemplary geothermal heating andcooling system 32 utilizing a water source 12 is provided, in accordancewith an embodiment of the present technology. The system 32 depicted inFIG. 1B once again features the water source 12, the circulation loop18, the heat pumps 24, and the monitoring component 28. However, thesystem 32 in FIG. 1B is designed so that after the water 16 has passedthrough the circulation loop 18, the water 16 is not returned to thewater source 12, but rather, is pumped down a diffusion well 34. Thediffusion well 34 may simply disperse the water 16 into an undergroundwater table, or may drain the water 16 down a storm sewer or other waterreturn infrastructure. The setup of the system 32 may allow for testingof the system 32 without reintroducing the water 16 into the watersource 12.

Referring now to FIG. 1C, another exemplary geothermal heating andcooling system 36 is provided, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent technology. In FIG. 1C, the system 36 once again includes thewater source 12, the circulation loop 18, the first fluid coupling 20,the second fluid coupling 22, the heat pumps 24, and the monitoringcomponent 28, as well as sensors 29 for monitoring the water 16 and/orthe system 36 (the sensors 29 may also be within an internal portion ofthe circulation loop 18 through which the water 16 flows). Additionally,the diffusion well 34 is also coupled to the circulation loop 18 at athird fluid coupling 38.

In FIG. 1C, the system 36 further comprises a junction 40 having a valve42. The junction 40 and the valve 42 allow control of the direction ofthe water 16 in the circulation loop 18, so that at least a portion ofthe water 16 may be selectively directed either through the second fluidcoupling 22 back to the water source 12, or through the third fluidcoupling 38 to the diffusion well 34 so that that the water 16 may beprevented, or at least restricted or reduced, from entering back intothe water source 12. This allows selective operation, testing, and/ordiversion of the water 16, if needed.

Referring now to FIG. 2A, an exemplary geothermal heating and coolingsystem 44 utilizing a heat exchanger 46 is provided, in accordance withan embodiment of the present technology. The system 44 depicted in FIG.2A includes a first circulation loop 48 which is coupled to the watersource 12 with the first fluid coupling 20. The first circulation loop48 passes through the heat exchanger 46 to a diffusion well 34, whichallows the water 16 to be dispersed away from the water source 12, asdiscussed in the earlier sections.

The system 44 includes a second circulation loop 50 that extendsthrough, around, and/or proximate the space 14 to be heated or cooled,which in FIG. 2A may be a building with a number of rooms. The secondcirculation loop 50 contains a heat exchange fluid 52, such as awater-glycol mixture, that is recirculated through the secondcirculation loop 50 with one or more pumps 54. The second circulationloop 50 also includes a plurality of heat pumps 24 which are coupled tothe second circulation loop 50 around the space 14 to be heated orcooled. The heat pumps 24 allow for heat transfer between the heatexchange fluid 52 and air in the space 14 to be heated or cooled.

The heat exchanger 46 may be designed such that both the firstcirculation loop 48 and the second circulation loop 50 pass through theheat exchanger 46 in separate pathways, to allow transfer of heatbetween the water 16, which may be constantly replenished from the watersource 12, and the heat exchange fluid 52, which may be recirculatedthrough the second circulation loop 50 to carry heat to or from thespace 14, without directly mixing the water 16 and the heat exchangefluid 52. In this respect, the heat exchanger 46 may be designed suchthat the first and second circulation loops 48, 50 are in fluidisolation, possibly using pressurization, one or more air chambers orgaps, a double walled design, gaskets, seals, or a similar segmenteddesign, which may help prevent the heat exchange fluid 52 frominfiltrating or contaminating the water 16 in the first circulation loop48. Additionally, the monitoring component 28 may be integrated into theheat exchanger 46 to monitor water quality and leak integrity, asdiscussed further below.

Referring now to FIG. 2B, another exemplary geothermal heating andcooling system 56 utilizing a heat exchanger 46 is provided, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present technology. In FIG. 2B, thesystem 56 includes the water source 12, the first circulation loop 48circulating the water 16 from the water source 12, the secondcirculation loop 50, the heat pumps 24, the heat exchanger 46, and themonitoring component 28. The first circulation loop 48 is coupled to thewater source 12 at the first fluid coupling 20 to provide an inlet forthe water 16 from the water source 12. The first circulation loop 48 isfurther coupled to the water source 12 at the second fluid coupling 22to provide an outlet for the water 16 to return to the water source 12.

In contrast to FIG. 2A, the system 56 depicted in FIG. 2B may permitdirect return of the water 16 in the first circulation loop 48 to thewater source 12. Additionally, the monitoring component 28, and anycomponents thereof which may be located at various positions around thesystem 56, may be utilized to monitor the water quality and/or leakintegrity. In FIGS. 2A-2B, the monitoring component 28 is coupled to theheat exchanger 46 and also to the first circulation loop 48.

Referring now to FIG. 2C, another exemplary geothermal heating andcooling system 58 utilizing a heat exchanger 46 is provided, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present technology. In FIG. 2C, thesystem 58 includes the water source 12, the first circulation loop 48,the second circulation loop 50, the heat exchanger 46, and themonitoring component 28. The first fluid coupling 20 joins the firstcirculation loop 48 to the water source 12, and the second fluidcoupling 22 joins the first circulation loop 48 to the water source 12.Additionally, the third fluid coupling 38 is provided, which includesthe junction 40 having the valve 42. The third fluid coupling 38 couplesthe first circulation loop 48 to the diffusion well 34. Re-routing thewater to the diffusion well 34 may be done if the monitoring component28 determines that the quality of the water 16 or the leak integrity ofthe system 58 have not met a predetermined standard.

Additionally, FIG. 2C depicts an exemplary notification and controlcomponent 25 which can be communicatively coupled to the monitoringcomponent 28, to allow communication of the leak integrity or waterquality to a control center and/or operator. Additionally, thenotification and control component 25 may be coupled to other systemcomponents such as valves or backflow preventers (e.g., the junction 40and valve 42 at the third fluid coupling 38), to allow diversion of thewater 16 when preconfigured standards of water quality or leak integrityare not maintained. For example, if the monitoring component 28 detectsa water quality issue, locally or through water removal and remotetesting, the notification and control component 25 may communicate thesame with a signal, and/or activate the valve 42 to divert the water 16in the first circulation loop 48 to the diffusion well 34.

Referring now to FIG. 3, an exemplary heat exchanger setup 60 which maybe used with the geothermal heating and cooling systems 44, 56, and 58depicted in FIGS. 2A-2C is provided, in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present technology. The heat exchanger 46 allows heat transferbetween the first circulation loop 48 and the second circulation loop50, while maintaining isolation of the loops 48, 50.

Referring now to FIG. 4A, an exemplary heat exchanger 46, which may beused in the geothermal heating and cooling systems 44, 56, and 58depicted in FIGS. 2A-2C, is provided, in accordance with an embodimentof the present technology. In FIG. 4A, the heat exchanger 46 includes aninlet 64 for the water 16 from the water source 12 and an outlet 66 forthe water 16 from the water source 12. The heat exchanger also includesan inlet 68 for the heat exchange fluid 52 and an outlet 70 for the heatexchange fluid 52 for the second circulation loop 50. The heat exchanger46 further includes a plurality of plates 72 in a stacked configuration.

Although exemplary heat exchangers are depicted herein asplate-and-frame heat exchangers, any type of double-walled heatexchangers, air-gap or air-chamber type heat exchangers, double-pipeheat exchangers, shell-and-tube heat exchangers, plate-fin heatexchangers, concentric tube heat exchangers, and spiral heat exchangersmay be used. In other words, any heat exchanger that includes an airgap, seal, and/or fluid separation, including one with a monitoringcomponent therein, that allows transfer of heat and which can bemonitored for the presence of fluid or a change in humidity or pressure,may be used.

Referring now to FIG. 4B, an exploded view of the heat exchanger 46depicted in FIG. 4A is provided, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent technology. In FIG. 4B, once again the heat exchanger 46includes the inlet 64 and the outlet 66 for the water 16 and the inlet68 and the outlet 70 for the heat exchange fluid 52. The water 16 andthe heat exchange fluid 52 are in isolated, separate loops 74, 76 asthey travel through the heat exchanger 46. More specifically, the water16 travels through a first series of plates 78 in the heat exchanger 46,and the heat exchange fluid 52 travels through a second series of plates80 in the heat exchanger 46, the first and second series of plates 78,80 in fluid isolation.

The first series of plates 78 and the second series of plates 80 arealso at least partially separated by at least one air chamber 82, whichmay be a plurality of isolated air chambers 82 between the respectiveplurality of plates 72, or one interconnected air chamber 82 thatextends between the plurality of plates 72. The air chamber 82 providesan additional boundary to help maintain fluid separation between water16 and the heat exchange fluid 52, and also, may allow testing for leakintegrity within the heat exchanger 46. Additionally, the monitoringcomponent 28, shown distinct from the heat exchanger 46 in FIG. 4B forclarity, may be coupled to or at least partially installed or integratedinto the heat exchanger 46, and/or into the air chamber 82, to allowmonitoring of the heat exchanger 46 and the air chamber 82. Further, asensor 29 or other detection component may be positioned in the heatexchanger, in the air chamber, and/or within one of the loops 74, 76.

In one exemplary operation of the heat exchanger 46, the heat exchanger46 may be pressurized, with a pressure sensor 27 coupled to themonitoring component 28. The pressure sensor 27 may be positioned in theair chamber 82 to detect if a pressure within the heat exchanger 46(e.g., in the air chamber 82) has changed, in order to monitor the leakintegrity of the loops 74, 76. The air chamber 82, or another part ofthe heat exchanger 46, such as a bottom interior area, may include afluid detection sensor 31 to detect when a fluid is present in the heatexchanger 46 or in the air chamber 82. Other detection methods,including pressure sensors, temperature sensors, humidity sensors, orother types of detection components may be integrated into the heatexchanger 46 or air chamber 82 to monitor leak integrity. Similarmethods may be employed around piping at other locations in the firstcirculation loop and/or second circulation loop.

Referring now to FIG. 4C, a partial cross-section view of the heatexchanger 46 depicted in FIGS. 4A-4B is provided, in accordance with anembodiment of the present technology. In FIG. 4C, a first plate 84 ofthe first series of plates 78 through which the water 16 in firstcirculation loop 48 flows is shown adjacent a second plate 86 of thesecond series of plates 80 through which the heat exchange fluid 52 ofthe second circulation loop 50 flows. The first plate 84 and the secondplate 86 are separated by the air chamber 82. Further, a plurality ofrubber gaskets 88, which provide a watertight seal, are positionedbetween the first plate 84 and the second plate 86, and also in the airchamber 82. The air chamber 82 may include the monitoring component 28,or a component thereof such as the pressure sensor 27, for monitoringleak integrity in the heat exchanger 46 and/or in the air chamber 82, asdiscussed in relation to FIG. 4B.

Referring now to FIG. 5, an exemplary valve and piping configuration foruse with a geothermal heating and cooling system, such as the system 58shown in FIG. 2C, is provided, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent technology. FIG. 5 represents an exemplary configuration thatincludes the heat exchanger 46, a first circulation loop 48 carrying thewater 16 from the water source 12, a second circulation loop 50 carryinga heat exchange fluid 52, and the third fluid coupling 38 with thejunction 40 and the valve 42 for diverting at least a portion of thewater 16 to the monitoring component 28 and/or to the diffusion well 34.A transition section of piping 92 carries the water 16 from the firstcirculation loop 48 to the diffusion well 34, with a valve positioned inthe piping 92 for diverting some of the water 16 to the monitoringcomponent 28 for monitoring water quality.

Referring now to FIG. 6, a block diagram of an exemplary method 600 ofgeothermal heating and cooling is provided, in accordance with anembodiment of the present technology. At a first block 610, a watersource, such as the water source 12 shown in FIGS. 1A-1C, is provided.At a second block 612, a heat exchanger, such as the heat exchanger 46shown in FIGS. 2A-2C, is provided. At a third block 614, a firstcirculation loop, such as the first circulation loop 48 shown in FIG.2B, is coupled to the heat exchanger and to the water source. At afourth block 616, a second circulation loop, such as the secondcirculation loop 50 shown in FIG. 2B, is coupled to the heat exchangerand extends proximate to a space, such as the space 14 shown in FIG. 2B,to be heated or cooled.

At a fifth block 618, a heat pump, such as the heat pump 24 shown inFIG. 2A, is coupled to the second circulation loop for exchanging heatbetween a heat exchange fluid in the second circulation loop and thespace to be heated or cooled. At a sixth block 620, a monitoringcomponent, such as the monitoring component 28 shown in FIG. 2B, isprovided, the monitoring component configured to monitor at least one ofquality of the water and integrity of at least one of the firstcirculation loop and the second circulation loop.

The water quality indicators may be monitored on an intermittent,selective, or ongoing basis by the monitoring component or other testingequipment. The indicators may be measured or determined from the water16 in the circulation loops, and also, from water in a downstreamsection of the water source 12, to provide a comprehensive picture ofthe water quality in the system. Baseline indicators may also be takenby monitoring water in the water source before it enters the watercirculation loops in the system. Additionally, any tests performed toverify state, local, and federal drinking water standards may beconducted. It should be noted that the water may simply be removedlocally and tested by a monitoring component at a remote lab, inaddition to being tested on-site, including by specific sensors.

Referring now to FIG. 7A, an exemplary table of influent and effluenttemperature measurements from water in a geothermal heating and coolingsystem is provided, in accordance with an embodiment of the presenttechnology. The water used in the geothermal heating and cooling systemsdescribed herein may be returned to the water source, and as a result,it may be desirable for the water to maintain a preconfiguredtemperature range when it reenters the water source. As shown in FIG.7A, influent and effluent temperature of the water in the system may bemonitored to determine the thermal effect of the geothermal system onthe water. A preconfigured allowable temperature increase or variancemay be selected and monitored for so that pathogenic or bacterial growthconditions in the water are controlled, among other things.

Referring now to FIG. 7B, an exemplary table of water quality indicatorstaken from water used in a geothermal heating and cooling system isprovided, in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology. InFIG. 7B, a variety of indicators are monitored for, tested, and recordedduring setup and/or operation of a geothermal heating and coolingsystem, such as those described herein. Preconfigured allowablereadings, or ranges of readings, may be used to determine if apreconfigured water quality is maintained for the water used in thesystem and reintroduced to the water source. Accordingly, thesemeasurements may be used to determine if reintroduction of the waterinto the water source should occur.

As for water quality indicators, a variety can be monitored, measured,and/or recorded for analysis. The indicators may include measurements ofinfluent temperature, effluent temperature, influent chlorine, effluentchlorine, influent pH, effluent pH, influent pressure, effluentpressure, influent iron, effluent iron, influent bacteria, effluentbacteria, influent heterotrophic plate count, effluent heterotrophicplate count, or other measurements. The indicators may be measured usingappropriate testing equipment or sensors, on-site or off-site.

Additionally, a variety of other water quality indicators, which mayinclude the presence of inorganic compounds, may be tested in the water,including calcium, iron, magnesium, sodium, seaborgium, arsenic, barium,beryllium, cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, mercury, manganese,magnesium, nickel, selenium, silver, thallium, zinc, copernicium,chloride, fluoride, nitrate, nitrogen dioxide, sulphate, alkali, hardcalcium, color, methylene blue active substances, langelier saturationindex, ammonia, odors, total dissolved solids, etc.

Further, volatile organic compounds may also be measured and analyzed.Such volatile organic compounds may include 1,1,1,2-Tetrachloroethane,1,1,1-Trichloroethane, 1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane, 1,1,2-Trichloroethane,1,1-Dichloroethane, 1,1,1-Dichloroethene, 1,1-Dichloropropene,1,2,3-Tricholorobenzene, 1,2,3-Tricholorpropane, 1,2,4-Tricholorbenzene,1,2,4-Trimethylbenzene, 1,2-Dichlorobenzene, 1,2-Dichloroethane,1,2-Dichloropropane, 1,3,5-Trimethylbenzene, 1,3-Dichlorobenzene,1,3-Dichloropropene, 1,4-Dichlorobenzene, 2,2-Dichloropropene,2/4-Chlorotoluene, 4-Isopropyltoluene, Benzene, Bromobenzene,Bromocholormethane, Bromodichloromethane, Bromoform, Bromomethane,Carbon Tetrachloride, Chlorobenzene, Chloroethane, Chloroform,Chloromethane, cis-1,2-Dichloroethene, cis-1,3-Dichloropropane,Dibromochloromethane, Dibromomethane, Dichlorodifluoromethane,Ethylbenzene, Hexachlorobutadiene, Hexane, Isopropyl Benzene,m,p-Xylene, MTBE, Methylene Chloride, n-Butylbenzene, n-Propylbenzene,o-Xylene, sec-Butylbenzene, Styrene, tert-Butylbenzene,Tetrachloroethene, Toluene, trans-1,2-Dichloroethene,trans-1,3-Dichloropropene, Trichloroethene, Trichlorofluoromethane, andVinyl Chloride, among others. In addition, systems for geothermalheating and cooling, including those described in this disclosure, andthose with proper setup, have been tested for influent and effluentwater temperature, inorganic compounds, and volatile organic compounds,and have determined to remain within preconfigured acceptable levelsbetween influent measurements and effluent measurements for selectedwater quality indicators.

The present technology has been described in relation to particularembodiments, which are intended in all respects to be illustrativerather than restrictive. Alternative embodiments will become apparent tothose of ordinary skill in the art to which the present technologypertains without departing from its scope.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for geothermal heating and cooling, thesystem comprising: a water source; a circulation loop coupled to thewater source and passing proximate to a space to be heated or cooled,the circulation loop configured to circulate water from the watersource; a heat pump coupled to the circulation loop and configured toprovide heat transfer between the water and the space to be heated orcooled; and a monitoring component configured to monitor for at leastone of: quality of the water, and leak integrity of the circulationloop.
 2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a first fluidcoupling joined to the circulation loop and to the water source, thefirst fluid coupling configured to provide the water to the circulationloop from the water source.
 3. The system of claim 2, further comprisinga second fluid coupling joined to the circulation loop and to the watersource, the second fluid coupling configured to return the water fromthe circulation loop to the water source.
 4. The system of claim 3,further comprising a third fluid coupling joined to the circulation loopand to a diffusion well, and a junction with at least one valveconfigured to selectively direct the water through the first fluidcoupling or the second fluid coupling.
 5. The system of claim 1, whereinthe monitoring component is configured to: extract a portion of thewater from the circulation loop or from the water source at a locationdownstream of the circulation loop; and test the water for at least oneof: contaminants; and biologics and pathogens.
 6. The system of claim 1,wherein monitoring the leak integrity of the circulation loop comprisesmonitoring for: pressure changes within the circulation loop using apressure sensor coupled to the circulation loop; and a presence of thewater outside of an internal portion of the circulation loop throughwhich the water travels using a fluid detection sensor coupled to thecirculation loop.
 7. The system of claim 1, further comprising at leastone backflow preventer coupled to the circulation loop that prevents thewater from reversing direction.
 8. A system for geothermal heating andcooling, the system comprising: a water source; a heat exchanger; afirst circulation loop configured to circulate water from the watersource through the heat exchanger and back to the water source; a secondcirculation loop configured to circulate a heat exchange fluid throughthe heat exchanger and proximate to a space to be heated or cooled; anda monitoring component configured to monitor for at least one of:quality of the water, and leak integrity of at least one of the firstcirculation loop and the second circulation loop.
 9. The system of claim8, further comprising a first fluid coupling joined to the firstcirculation loop and to the water source, the first fluid couplingconfigured to provide the water to the first circulation loop from thewater source.
 10. The system of claim 9, further comprising a secondfluid coupling joined to the first circulation loop and to the watersource, the second fluid coupling configured to return the water fromthe first circulation loop to the water source.
 11. The system of claim10, further comprising a third fluid coupling joined to the firstcirculation loop and to a diffusion well, and a junction with at leastone valve configured to selectively direct the water through the secondfluid coupling or the third fluid coupling.
 12. The system of claim 8,wherein the monitoring component monitors the quality of the water, andis configured to: extract a portion of the water from the firstcirculation loop or from the water source at a location downstream ofthe first circulation loop; and test the water for at least one of:contaminants; and biologics and pathogens.
 13. The system of claim 8,wherein the monitoring component monitors for leak integrity of at leastone of the first circulation loop and the second circulation loop, andwherein the monitoring component is configured to detect a pressurechange within the heat exchanger using a pressure sensor.
 14. The systemof claim 8, wherein the monitoring component monitors for leak integrityof at least one of the first circulation loop and the second circulationloop, and wherein the monitoring component is configured to determine apresence of fluid in the heat exchanger using a fluid detection sensor.15. The system of claim 8, wherein the system further comprises anotification component and a flow control component, wherein thenotification component is configured to send a signal when themonitoring component detects that the quality of the water iscompromised or a leak is present in at least one of the firstcirculation loop and the second circulation loop, and wherein the flowcontrol component is configured to prevent the water from returning tothe water source when the monitoring component detects that the waterquality is compromised or the leak is present in at least one of thefirst circulation loop and the second circulation loop.
 16. The systemof claim 8, further comprising at least one heat pump coupled to thesecond circulation loop for providing heat transfer between the heatexchange fluid and the space to be heated or cooled.
 17. The system ofclaim 8, wherein the heat exchanger is a double-walled heat exchanger,wherein the first circulation loop and the second circulation loop areseparated by at least one air chamber in the double-walled heatexchanger, and wherein the monitoring component monitors for the leakintegrity within the at least one air chamber.
 18. A heat exchanger fora geothermal heating and cooling system, the heat exchanger comprising:a first circulation loop; a second circulation loop; at least one airchamber between the first circulation loop and the second circulationloop; and a monitoring component positioned in the at least one airchamber, the monitoring component configured to detect at least one of:a presence of fluid in the at least one air chamber, and a change ofpressure in the at least one air chamber.
 19. The heat exchanger ofclaim 18, wherein the heat exchanger is a plate-and-frame heatexchanger, wherein the first circulation loop comprises a first seriesof plates, and wherein the second circulation loop comprises a secondseries of plates in alternating configuration with the first series ofplates.
 20. The heat exchanger of claim 19, wherein the at least one airchamber is pressurized, and wherein the monitoring component monitorsfor the change of pressure in the at least one air gap using at leastone pressure sensor.
 21. The heat exchanger of claim 18, wherein themonitoring component monitors for the presence of fluid in the at leastone air chamber using at least one of a humidity sensor and a fluiddetection sensor.
 22. A method for geothermal heating and cooling, themethod comprising: providing a water source; providing a heat exchanger;coupling a first circulation loop to the heat exchanger and to the watersource; coupling a second circulation loop to the heat exchanger andextending the second circulation loop proximate to a space to be heatedor cooled; coupling a heat pump to the second circulation loop forexchanging heat between a heat exchange fluid in the second circulationloop and the space to be heated or cooled; and providing a monitoringcomponent configured to monitor for at least one of: quality of thewater, and integrity of at least one of the first circulation loop andthe second circulation loop.
 23. The method of claim 22, wherein themonitoring component monitors the integrity of at least one of the firstcirculation loop and the second circulation loop using at least one of:a pressure sensor coupled to the heat exchanger; and a fluid detectionsensor coupled to the heat exchanger.
 24. The method of claim 22,wherein the monitoring component monitors the quality of the water, andwherein monitoring the quality of the water comprises monitoring for:changes in temperature; a presence of contaminants; and a presence ofbiologics and pathogens.
 25. The method of claim 22, further comprisingproviding a temperature sensor coupled to the water source downstream ofthe first circulation loop, and measuring changes in temperature of thewater.
 26. The method of claim 25, further comprising: coupling ajunction comprising a valve to the first circulation loop; coupling thejunction to a diffusion well; determining the integrity of at least oneof the first circulation loop and the second circulation loop iscompromised; and operating the valve to divert at least a portion of thewater in the first circulation loop to the diffusion well to prevent theat least a portion of the water from returning to the water source.